Wesley Johnson, who worked out for the Timbrwolves yesterday, is a popular choice to be the No. 4 pick in next week’s NBA draft and become a member of the Wolves. The Syracuse junior wasn’t highly recruited in high school but his development in college has made him a probable fit for the Timberwolves who are in need of a small forward.  Last season the 6-7, 205 pound Johnson ranked 10^thin the Big East Conference at 16.5 points per game, fifth in rebounding averaging 8.5, fifth in steals at 1.7, sixth in blocks with 1.8 and seventh in three-point percentage at .415.

The Northwoods League, a summer college baseball league that includes Minnesota franchises, reports a record 162 alumni chosen during the 50 rounds of last week’s major league baseball draft.  The league website says 65 former Northwoods players have made the big leagues.  https://www.northwoodsleague.com/News.aspx

Former North Stars owner Howard Baldwin wants to make a movie about hockey legend Gordie Howe.

Mike Modano, who started his career with the North Stars, will play a 20^th NHL season and probably finish his career in Dallas where new ownership will be decided soon.

Ex-Gopher Paul Martin, in demand as a free agent, may wait until New Jersey names a coach to replace Jacques Lemaire before deciding on a future with the Devils.

The annual Bruce Smith Golf Classic at Faribault Golf Club is next Monday.  The classic is named after Faribault native and former Gophers Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith.  The event provides scholarships for students who have graduated from Faribault High School, Bethlehem Academy and the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf.

Rachelle Dosch is the new head volleyball coach at Gustavus.  Dosch, a 2007 St. Thomas grad, was an assistant coach at Winona State and Luther College during the past three years.

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Athletic director Joel Maturi, whose contract with the University ends in June of 2012, told Sports Headliners that University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks wants him to continue beyond that date.

Although it wasn’t publicized at the time, Bruininks expressed that desire last fall.  The president’s conversation with Maturi coincided with Bruininks’ announcement that the 2010-11 school year will be his last heading the University’s Twin Cities campus.  A new president is expected to be directing the University in 2011-12.

“He (Bruininks) did not think it would be in the best interest of a new president, or Gopher athletics, to hire a new athletic director in his first year (on the job),” Maturi said.

Maturi, who has been the Gophers athletics director since 2002, is still considering Bruininks’ request that suggested a two or three year contract extension.  He will need to give the president a final answer by December.

Maturi, who has been planning to retire in 2012, will review health and family considerations in making a decision on whether to remain for a couple more years.  That scenario would push his retirement age to almost 70.

“It’s not any greater than 50-50 that I will stay on,” Maturi said.

A new athletic director needs to start work in July or August of 2012 if Maturi retires in June of that year.  Maturi doesn’t plan to be part of the search committee or in other ways be involved with choosing his successor.  “That’s not my job,” he said.  “That’s not appropriate.”

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Look for the Twins front office to aggressively try to improve the team roster before major league baseball’s July 31 trade deadline.  The Twins have a playoff contending club and the right acquisition could be the difference in at least advancing beyond the first round of the post-season.

There’s nothing new about the Twins wanting to improve themselves but what’s different now is the revenue from the new ballpark.  Although this doesn’t come from ownership or management, there have been reports the Twins could generate $40 million or more per season at Target Field than at their previous home, the Metrodome.

That sort of revenue jump moves the franchise from baseball’s have nots to a much more competitive financial position and creates opportunities to increase player payroll including at mid-season.  The front office shopping list might include a ninth inning closer and power hitting right-handed batter, preferably someone who can play third base.

Closer Jon Rauch looks like a conundrum for the Twins.  He’s tied for first in the American League with 16 saves.  He’s only walked three batters in 25 innings and his ERA is okay at 2.52.  But opposing batters are hitting .278 against him.  While frequently giving up a line drive hit or two, Rauch can send Twins fans reaching for antacids in the ninth inning.

Joe Nathan, out for the season following Tommy John surgery and the man Rauch is trying to replace, had a 1.33 ERA in 2008 and 2.10 last season.  Opposing hitters batted .171 against Nathan in 2009 and .179 the year before.

Delmon Young’s improvement has added another productive right-handed bat to the lineup but with Michael Cuddyer the total only reaches two.  Left-handed batter Jason Kubel is only hitting .200 against left-handed pitching, something the Twins see a lot of with their left-handed heavy batting order featuring Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

The lack of productive right-handed hitting has been exaggerated too with the games missed by shortstop J.J. Hardy, now back on the disabled list with his injured wrist.  The Twins meager hitting infielders include Nick Punto, .221,  Matt Tolbert, .152,      Brendan Harris, .160 and Alexi Casilla, .256 .  Combined they have one home run and 24 RBI.

The addition of a productive right-handed batsman would brighten prospects for an already outstanding team.  The Twins are more than one-third through the schedule, have a 36-27 record and lead the Central Division by 2.5 games.  Baseball’s power rankings list them among the top six or so teams.

Will the Twins be a better team by October?  The front office will try to make that a reality.

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